Avid gardeners know gardening success starts from the ground up.

Traditionally, spring is a good time to till. It helps increase soil drainage, makes planting easier and improves the bounty of summer harvest.

Unfortunately, the overzealous use of a rototiller can do just the opposite. Excessive tilling can break soil fragments apart, actually decreasing internal drainage, making it more difficult to plant and decreasing garden productivity. Basically, good garden dirt can be turned into a muddy mess.

Here are tips to prepare soil for spring planting:

Soil is formed from tiny pieces of disintegrated rock. From largest to smallest, these particles are sand, silt and clay. Unfortunately, most of our native soils contain more clay then they do sand. The next component is organic matter. It is the result of the decomposition of previously living plants and animals. There is usually less than 5 percent organic matter in most local soils. When decomposition stops, some organic compounds remain and become a stable part of the soil. This material, called humus, gives the soil a gray or black appearance. The most important component of soil is pore space, filled with air or water.

Winter snow and early spring rains have continued to replace soil moisture lost from years of dry heat. As a result, most of our garden soils are wet and mucky. Although spring planting of potatoes and other cool-season crops is coming up, working the garden soil now is not a good idea. The destructive nature of the rototiller and other activities will destroy soil structure. Working the soil when it is too wet can cause clay particles to bind, resulting in a cloddy hard soil. Tilling too often can cause a hard pan to form just below the soil surface, making it difficult for plant roots to grow deep into the soil.

The single best practice gardeners can do to improve their soil is add organic matter. Even though it is only a small part of the total mass, it has a profound effect on the physical and chemical properties of the soil. It increases the water- and nutrient-holding capacity. It helps make minerals available for plant use. And, as it accumulates, it binds clay particles into larger aggregates, improving aeration and drainage.

Gardeners can reap the benefits of organic matter by regularly incorporating compost, manure and other organic residues into the soil. Generally, apply 50 to 100 pounds of compost per 100 square feet of garden area each year. Manure applications should be limited to 25 to 50 pounds per 100 square feet annually. Soil low in organic matter benefits from heavier applications to help build organic matter reserves. Soil high in organic matter needs only the minimal amount of composted manure for maintenance.

The widespread availability and easy use of chemical fertilizers have resulted in decreased use of organic material. To help maximize tomato production or to grow show-stopping petunias this year, add organic material to planting sites. Wait at least four weeks before planting, do not apply fresh manure and do not work the soil when it is wet.